City Of Belen, New Mexico
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Job Description CHIEF OF POLICE
FULL-TIME EXEMPT
Starting annual salary: $110,000 - $120,000
Open until filled
ABOUT THE CITY OF BELEN The City of Belen, located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, is a historic and growing community serving as a regional center for commerce and transportation in Valencia County. Known as “The Hub City,” Belen offers a strong sense of community, affordable living and convenient access to the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
Belen’s strategic location along Interstate 25, with three major exits, places the community in a position of both opportunity and challenge. Proximity to a major metropolitan area brings increased demands related to homelessness, substance abuse, transient populations and regional criminal activity. As the city continues to grow, strong, visible, and accountable law enforcement leadership is essential to maintaining public safety and community trust.
GENERAL PURPOSE The City of Belen is seeking a highly structured, policy-driven, and forward-thinking Police Chief to lead the Belen Police Department during a period of growth and evolving public safety challenges. The ideal candidate is a disciplined and ethical leader who is not afraid to implement necessary change, enforce clear policies, and hold officers to the highest professional and ethical standards.
This is a hands-on, working Police Chief position. The Chief is expected to remain actively involved in departmental operations and serve as a visible presence within both the organization and the community. Responsibilities may include responding to scenes, managing active incidents, running calls for service and conducting traffic stops when appropriate.
The successful candidate must be knowledgeable and responsive to current public safety issues affecting the city, county, state and nation, including homelessness, drug-related activity, mental health crises and regional crime trends influenced by proximity to the Albuquerque metro area.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Administration
Provide strong, ethical, and transparent leadership to all Police Department personnel
Develop, implement, and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards
Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement
Oversee departmental operations, staffing, budgeting, training and long-term planning
Ensure compliance with all federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards and reporting requirements
Operational Leadership and Field Response
Serve as a working Police Chief maintaining operational readiness and situational awareness
Respond to critical incidents, major calls for service and emergencies as required
Participate directly in field operations including responding to scenes, running calls and conducting traffic stops when appropriate
Provide real-time leadership and decision-making during active incidents
Maintain all required certifications and training to perform sworn law enforcement duties
Public Safety Strategy and Community Protection
Lead efforts to address challenges related to homelessness, substance abuse mental health response and regional criminal activity
Develop and implement data-driven strategies to reduce crime and improve public safety outcomes
Strengthen collaboration with Valencia County neighboring jurisdictions and state and federal law enforcement partners
Ensure the Department remains current on best practices, legal requirements and emerging trends in modern policing
Community Engagement and Trust Building
Build and maintain strong relationships with residents businesses and community organizations
Promote transparency fairness and effective communication between the Police Department and the public
Represent the City and Police Department at regional meetings task forces and community events
Professional Standards and Accountability
Hold officers and staff to the highest standards of conduct ethics performance
Oversee internal investigations discipline and corrective actions as necessary
Promote ongoing training in de-escalation crisis intervention community policing officer wellness
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them for the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice public administration law enforcement or a related field preferred but not required
Minimum of ten years progressively responsible law enforcement experience including five years at a supervisory or command level
Must possess or be able to obtain New Mexico executive law enforcement certification
Demonstrated experience in policy development personnel management budgeting and organizational leadership
Knowledge Skills And Abilities
Thorough knowledge of modern policing principles and best practices
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and enforce clear consistent standards
Strong decision-making leadership and interpersonal skills
Ability to address complex public safety issues including homelessness substance abuse and regional crime trends
Effective communication skills with diverse populations elected officials City administration and partner agencies
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Job Description CHIEF OF POLICE
FULL-TIME EXEMPT
Starting annual salary: $110,000 - $120,000
Open until filled
ABOUT THE CITY OF BELEN The City of Belen, located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, is a historic and growing community serving as a regional center for commerce and transportation in Valencia County. Known as “The Hub City,” Belen offers a strong sense of community, affordable living and convenient access to the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
Belen’s strategic location along Interstate 25, with three major exits, places the community in a position of both opportunity and challenge. Proximity to a major metropolitan area brings increased demands related to homelessness, substance abuse, transient populations and regional criminal activity. As the city continues to grow, strong, visible, and accountable law enforcement leadership is essential to maintaining public safety and community trust.
GENERAL PURPOSE The City of Belen is seeking a highly structured, policy-driven, and forward-thinking Police Chief to lead the Belen Police Department during a period of growth and evolving public safety challenges. The ideal candidate is a disciplined and ethical leader who is not afraid to implement necessary change, enforce clear policies, and hold officers to the highest professional and ethical standards.
This is a hands-on, working Police Chief position. The Chief is expected to remain actively involved in departmental operations and serve as a visible presence within both the organization and the community. Responsibilities may include responding to scenes, managing active incidents, running calls for service and conducting traffic stops when appropriate.
The successful candidate must be knowledgeable and responsive to current public safety issues affecting the city, county, state and nation, including homelessness, drug-related activity, mental health crises and regional crime trends influenced by proximity to the Albuquerque metro area.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Administration
Provide strong, ethical, and transparent leadership to all Police Department personnel
Develop, implement, and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and operational standards
Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement
Oversee departmental operations, staffing, budgeting, training and long-term planning
Ensure compliance with all federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards and reporting requirements
Operational Leadership and Field Response
Serve as a working Police Chief maintaining operational readiness and situational awareness
Respond to critical incidents, major calls for service and emergencies as required
Participate directly in field operations including responding to scenes, running calls and conducting traffic stops when appropriate
Provide real-time leadership and decision-making during active incidents
Maintain all required certifications and training to perform sworn law enforcement duties
Public Safety Strategy and Community Protection
Lead efforts to address challenges related to homelessness, substance abuse mental health response and regional criminal activity
Develop and implement data-driven strategies to reduce crime and improve public safety outcomes
Strengthen collaboration with Valencia County neighboring jurisdictions and state and federal law enforcement partners
Ensure the Department remains current on best practices, legal requirements and emerging trends in modern policing
Community Engagement and Trust Building
Build and maintain strong relationships with residents businesses and community organizations
Promote transparency fairness and effective communication between the Police Department and the public
Represent the City and Police Department at regional meetings task forces and community events
Professional Standards and Accountability
Hold officers and staff to the highest standards of conduct ethics performance
Oversee internal investigations discipline and corrective actions as necessary
Promote ongoing training in de-escalation crisis intervention community policing officer wellness
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them for the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS Education And Experience
Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice public administration law enforcement or a related field preferred but not required
Minimum of ten years progressively responsible law enforcement experience including five years at a supervisory or command level
Must possess or be able to obtain New Mexico executive law enforcement certification
Demonstrated experience in policy development personnel management budgeting and organizational leadership
Knowledge Skills And Abilities
Thorough knowledge of modern policing principles and best practices
Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and enforce clear consistent standards
Strong decision-making leadership and interpersonal skills
Ability to address complex public safety issues including homelessness substance abuse and regional crime trends
Effective communication skills with diverse populations elected officials City administration and partner agencies
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